Futuristic Farm House Designed to Collect Rainwater and Shelter Migrant Workers

Two things that fluctuate considerably in the rich farmland of the central plains in the US are water for irrigation and migrant farmers. Aquifers are being depleted and water is becoming an even scarcer resource. Meanwhile, migrant farmers are crucial in our food production model, but often live in inadequate housing during their brief stay. Endemic Architecture proposes a modest farm house that could alleviate both problems. The futuristic home collects, stores and disseminates rainwater for crop irrigation, while providing a safe and sturdy home for farmers.

Safe, durable and comfortable housing should be a given right for all migrant workers, but often it is not. Endemic’s Farm House is a modest 800 sq ft home with a central living space surrounded by kitchen and dining area, storage, a bathroom and a sleeping area. Modular by design, these homes could aggregate to form grouped housing or could remain separate next to the field.

The geometry of the house is completely attributed to rainwater collection and is covered in watertight pouches or ‘canteens’ that store up to 34,000 gallons of water. This is enough water to irrigate 50 acres for nearly 1 month during the cultivation season. In the central plains and mid-western regions of the US, enough rain falls that the canteens might fill as many as 20 times in a year to full capacity. The home and the water storage is then connected into the farm’s irrigation system, whether it is for drip irrigation or for surface watering.

4 thoughts on “Futuristic Farm House Designed to Collect Rainwater and Shelter Migrant Workers”

That looks awesome! Everyone should be getting in on water conservation in some way, that's a very creative way to get it done. If you need an idea for water conservation get in on the drip irrigation craze. It's THE best way for the average Joe to save water. Find more information on that at Orbit's website here: http://www.orbitonline.com/drip-watering/03/

These are awesome. I work with Migrant Clinicians Network, a national organization promoting health justice to farmworkers. Housing is critical to health. Visit our website www.migrantclinician.org and let us know how we can partner to promote health through housing.

Interesting idea, but what is the cost to build one? One of the factors key to why migrant workers are part of the farming formula is their low-cost. The rain water storage is a big plus of this interesting design that could tip someone to building them.